Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for History

Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)

6. Know what AFDC is and how it applies to people. Aid to Families with Dependent Children

Key Political Concepts

• Neo-institutional: The way they interact and how they affect society.
• Interest Group: Organization of people who work together to protect and promote the government. Two categories: economic and noneconomic.
• Entrepreneurial: A person who organizes and operates a business/es, takes risk.
• Client: Government Owned Enterprise (GOE), prior to marketing or sales activities.
• Majoritarian: Democracy rule of society’s citizens.

Introducing a Bill in Congress

8. How can a bill be introduced in Congress? Members of Congress are the only ones who can introduce the bill at any time the House of Senate

The Restoration Era After Napoleon (1815)

Following Napoleon's defeat in 1815, the Ancien Régime was restored. This meant a return to the political system imposed by Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Great Britain. These European powers met at the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) and implemented several measures:

• Absolute monarchs were reinstated.
• Europe’s borders were redrawn.
• The European powers agreed to support any monarch facing revolution.

During the Restoration, two alliances formed:

• The Holy Alliance: Russia, Prussia, and Austria.
• The Quadruple Alliance: Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Great Britain.

Key Ideologies of the 19th Century

Three main ideologies shaped the era:

• Liberalism: Advocated for individual liberties such as the right to life, freedom

The Korean War

Background

Korea had been under Japanese control since 1910. After Japan's defeat in 1945, the US and USSR agreed to temporarily divide the country into two zones along the 38th parallel to organize Japan's surrender and withdrawal. The UN wanted free elections for the whole country, which the US supported, believing that capitalism would prevail in the South, where two-thirds of the population resided. However, no agreement was reached with the USSR. Elections were held in the South, and the Independent Republic of Korea was established. Russia, in turn, created the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the North. In 1949, both USSR and US forces withdrew, leaving a dangerous situation. Most Koreans resented the division, yet... Continue reading "The Korean War: A Summary and Analysis" »

Causes of the French Revolution

1. Taxation System: The complex system of administration and taxation prevented the government from raising necessary funds and limited the influence of the Third Estate.
2. American War: France's involvement in the American War of Independence, while resulting in victory against Britain, led to a financial crisis due to the high cost of fighting overseas. This economic strain contributed to the French Revolution.
3. Price Increases: Crop failures and harsh winters resulted in food shortages and price increases, impacting peasants and the urban poor. The rising cost of living, coupled with a financial crisis, led to increased unemployment and social unrest.

The Beginning of the Revolution (1789)

The privileged classes resisted... Continue reading "The French Revolution: Causes, Phases, and Key Events" »

Rome was located in the center of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea (good for expansion) and protected by mountains in the north. It was founded by twin brothers: Romulus and Remus in 753 BCE. It was a fusion between Etruscan and native Roman elements. The Roman Republic was a system of government ruled by elected representatives. The Roman Empire conquered the Mediterranean, after fighting three wars: Punic Wars. The decline and fall of the Roman Empire took place between 133-31 BCE. During the Age of Augustus (31-14 BCE) there were provincial reforms, uniform imperial policy was established, and the frontiers were stabilized. There were five good emperors who followed the Pax Romana. The crisis in the third century was caused by military anarchy,... Continue reading "Ancient Rome and Greece: History, Culture, and Legacy" »

Yehoshua and the Gibeonites

All the kings in Israel, all of what Hashem did for Bnei Yisrael.

Seven Nations: Hitti, Emori, Canaani, Perizi, and Gergashi. The Gergashi moved to North Africa.

The nations had a choice. Yehoshua sent a letter stating that they could either leave, stay and fight, or make peace. The Gergashi left; everyone else fought.

All nations united to fight against Bnei Yisrael.

The Hivi (Gibeonites) heard all of what Yehoshua did to Yericho and Ai. They were scared.

Be'arma (with trickery), the Gibeonites dressed up as foreigners. Their shoes were torn and ripped, their bread was dry and moldy, and their clothing was patchy. Vayashu Gam Hema.

The Gibeonite people came to Yehoshua, dressed up, and Yehoshua asked them to make a treaty... Continue reading "Yehoshua and the Gibeonites: A Pact Forged" »

The head of state is the chief public representative of the state. It  is also a symbol of the nation-state. The head of gov leads the day-to-day operations of government.

In Britain, the head of state is the queen. The head of gov is the Prime Minister.

In Iran, the head of state is the supreme leader. The head of gov is the President.

In Iran, the supreme leader has the ultimate decision-making authority and is the final interpreter of shar’ia in Iran. The president is primarily responsible for the day-today operations. In Britain, the queen is merely a symbol of national unity and prestige. The monarch’s relationship with the prime minister is mostly informal and diplomatic interaction with limited political implications

In Britain, Parliament

The Restoration of Absolutism: The countries that defeated Napoleon met at the Congress of Vienna.

Ideas: Restoring absolutism with legitimism in France and Spain to stop liberalism and nationalism. Balance of powers between European countries. The Holy Alliance Treaty with Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and the Quadruple Alliance with the previous countries plus Britain.

Revolutions in 1830: Nationalism and liberalism became popular. The revolution started in France where Charles, an absolute monarch, was replaced by Louis Philippe of Orleans as a constitutional monarch.

The Spring of Nations: The unification of Italy and Germany, and the independence of the Russian, Ottoman, and Austrian empires. There were revolts, the most important ones in... Continue reading "The Restoration of Absolutism and the Rise of Nationalism: Congress of Vienna and Revolutions in Europe" »

The Liberal Triennium (1820-1823)

One of these liberal coups, headed by Colonel Riego, succeeded in taking power. Ferdinand VII was forced to reinstate the Constitution of 1812 and the liberal legislation.

The Ominous Decade (1823-1833)

Ferdinand asked for help from the Holy Alliance, which sent an army, the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis, to restore the absolute monarchy in Spain. The King faced many problems in this period:

• Independence of the Spanish American colonies
• State bankruptcy, due to the high level of debt during the War of Independence and the lack of income.
• The succession problem owing to a lack of a male descendant. Ferdinand issued the Pragmatic Sanction that repealed the Salic Law, by which women were not allowed to reign.

The Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire

Early Encounters and Exploration

In 1518, a disturbing report reached the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán: white-faced men were approaching from the sea. King Moctezuma, filled with dismay, wondered if these strangers could be the returning god Quetzalcóatl.

These men were part of an expedition led by Juan de Grijalva, sent by Diego Velásquez, the governor of Cuba, to explore the coasts discovered by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba. Grijalva's expedition traded gold with the Aztecs, confirming the existence of a wealthy kingdom.

Hernán Cortés and the March to Tenochtitlán

Velásquez, eager to conquer this new land, chose Hernán Cortés to lead a third expedition. Cortés, a skilled soldier and strategist,... Continue reading "The Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire: A Pivotal Moment in History" »